Lamp switch



y 20, 19 F. c. BEEKLEY 2,242,383

LAMP SWITCH Filed Feb. 7, 1939 .mmwanm F Um 0mm FCHEYNEY liE/ZKLEYPatented May 20, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LAMP swrrcn FrancisCheyney Beekley, West Hartford, Conn.

Application February 7. 1939, Serial No. 255,059

17 Claims.

This invention relates to electrical switches, and more particularly toa magnetically operated switch adapted for use in incandescent lampshaving two filaments; theswitch being adapted to cause one of thefilaments to be illuminated either alone or together with the otherfilament and thereby control the lamp to respectively provide a dimlight and a bright light.

The invention aims to provide, in lamps of the above character, amagnetically operated switch adapted for two wire circuits which, uponclosing of the circuit, causes the lamp to be illuminated at one degreeof brightness and upon interruption and reestablishment of the circuitcauses the lamp to be illuminated at its other degree of brightness.

An object of the invention is to provide a switch of the above characterwhich is simple in construction, economical to manufacture, is readilyassembled and installed, and is efficient in operation.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out more indetail hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will beexemplified in the construction hereafter set forth and the scope of theapplication of which will be indicated in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing;

Figure l is an elevational view of an incandescent lamp having a pair offilaments and a switch for controlling the illumination of thefilaments, illustrating an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the switch shown in Figure 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line l! on Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a schematic view, illustrating theshown an incandescent lamp Lhaving a pair of filaments B and D, for respectively providing arelatively bright light and a relatively dim light. The lamp is furtherprovided with the usual base C for screwing the lamp in a socket, andmounted in the base is a switch S for alternately electricallyconnecting one or both of the filaments.

The switch S is illustrated in detail in Figs. 2 and 3. and comprises amounting disc ||l formed of insulating material and a center post H formounting a movable switch element about to be described. Preferably, thepost ll comprises an electrically conductive screw or bolt having a headI located at one side of the disc and a shank i2 extending therefromthrough an aperture in the disc and the shank. being threaded to receivenuts l5 and IE to secure the screw to the disc.

The screw further serves to secure a bracket l8 to the disc, the bracketbeing positioned intermediate the disc and the head of the screw andinsulated therefrom by a sleeve or bushing IS. The bracket l8 extendsoutwardly beyond the outer periphery of the disc and terminates in anarcuate arm 20 for mounting adjacent the post M an electric coil orsolenoid 2| for producing, when energized, an electric magnetic field.

The coil illustrated herein is relatively short compared to thecircumference of the disc and has a central aperture 22 tangentiallydisposed to the outer periphery of the disc, wherein the maximumstrength of the magnetic field set up by the coil is located, whichreceives and actuates portions of an armature 25 hereinafter described.In the preferred embodiment, the coil 2| has a relatively low electricalresistance and draws a relatively small amount of current. Therespective ends of the coil are preferably electrically connected toterminals 23 and 24 which may by suitable rivets be secured to the discand have electrical leads soldered thereto.

The armature comprises a cross bar 25a which has a central aperture 26for receiving the shank |2 of the screw and is electrically connected toand mounted for rotation on the screw intermediate the nut l6 and abearing member 21 threaded io the free end of the screw. Mounted on andsecured to the cross bar is a segment 30 01' a magnetically attractablering positioned to rotate through the aperture 22 of the coil 2|. Thearmature segment has spaced free ends 3| and 32 adapted to bealternately drawn within the coil 2| as the circuit is alternatelyestablished and broken. The cross bar 25a preferably abuts the ends ofthe coil upon rotation of the armature segment and is mounteddiametrically across the armature ring at points substantiallyequidistant from adjacent free ends, so that the armature can rotate ineither direction the same distance before being stopped. For example, inthe embodiment illustrated, the cross bar is arranged to permit thearmature to rotate about seventy-five degrees while the cross bar movesfrom one side of the coil to the other. Also, the armature is balancedto enable the lamp to distances from the middle or the coil so {that theattraction will be greater to the one in gamer proximity -Fr thispurpose and thus draw it into the coil. there is provided a resilientmetal member, such as a spiral spring 35 having its inner end 36electrically connected and secured to one side of the cross bar adjacentthe aperture 16 and mounted for rotation with the armature. The free end31 of the spring is bent radially outwardly with respect to the mountingpost and is positioned to oscillate between a pair of contact members orstuds 40 and II secured to the disc. These studs are locateddiametrically opposite the coil and are spaced apart about fifty-fivedegrees or a suitable distance shorter than the distance the armaturecan rotate. Thus, upon energization of the coil to attract the end 3| ofthe armature, the end 31 of the spring abuts the stud 40 and tensions itwhile the armature continues to rotate until the cross bar 25a abuts thecoil 2|. When the supply of electrical energy to the coil 2| isinterrupted the tension of the spring is effective to rotate thearmature in the opposite direction into an off-center position with theother end 32 of the segment in position to be attracted by the coil. Inthe preferred embodiment, the stud 40 also serves as an electricalcontact member cooperating with the spring portion 31 to close anelectrical current, as about to be described.

The electrical connections of the switch and filaments are illustratedmore particularly in Fig. 4. Adjacent ends 50 of the filaments B and Dare connected to one side E of an electrical supply line having in itscircuit a suitable switch K. The other end of the filament B is adaptedto be electrically connected through the contact Mi, spring 35, crossbar 25, post H and terminal 23 to the other side F of the supply line.The other end 52 of the filament D is connected in series with the coilthrough terminal 23 to the other side F of the supply line throughterminal 23. with this arrangement the filament D, providing a dimlight, is electrically connected whenever the switch K closes thecircuit. The filament B, providing the bright-light, is electricallyconnected only when the armature is in a position to cause the springportion 31 to engage the contact 4|).

The operation of the switch S will be understood more clearly byreferring to Figs. 4, 5 and 6 of the drawing. Prior to closing the lineswitch K, the armature, for example. may be in an oilcenter positionwith the free end 3| of the segment extending into the coil, as shown inFig. 4. Upon closing the line switch current will fiow through the coiland the filament D causing the coil to be energized and the filament Dto be illuminated. The coil then is eflective to attract the end 3| ofthe segment and rotate the armature counterclockwise to the positionshown in Fig. 5. The end 31 of the spring 35 then engages the contact4|! and electrically connects the filament B to the line whereby bothfilaments are illuminated;

During the final rotation of the armature the spring, as will beobserved from the drawing, will be rolled together and tensioned (Fig.5) When the switch K is opened the coil is deenergized whereupon thespring 35 will tend to assume its the armature mounting post normalposition and in so doing rotate the armature to carry spring end 31 pastdead center end adjacent the contact 4| as indicated by broken lines inFig. 6 and simultaneously position the end 32 or the armature segment inclose proximity to the coil. Upon reestablishing the supply ofelectricaLenergy, the coil is again magnetized to move the end 32 of thesegment into the coil and rotate the armature in a clockwise directionto assume the position illustrated in Fig. 6. The dim filament will nowbe illuminated alone and the spring, by having its end 31 abut thecontact I is spread outwardly and is again tensioned to render iteflective to rotate the armature in a counterclockwise direction. Thuswhen the switch K is opened, the coil releases the armature and thespring rotates it into the position shown in Fig. 4. When the switch Kis closed again the contact 6|] will be engaged by the end 31 of thespring to close the circuit for the filament B.

.There is shown in Fig. 7, an-alternative wiring diagram wherein theswitch may be used to alternately control filaments B and D. The coil IIis connected across have greater resistance than when in series as inthe earlier embodiment. The bright filament B has its inner end 53connected to one side of the supply line and its other end 5| connectedto the contact 4|! which, in turn, is adapted to be electricallyconnected to the other side of the supply line through the spring 35,the cross bar 25, and

The dim filament D likewise has its inner end 50 connected to one side0! the supply line, and its other end 81 connected to the contact IIwhich is adapted to be electrically connected to the other side of thesupply line through the spring 35, cross bar and armature post.

The operation of the modified embodiment is essentially the same as theoperation of the preferred embodiment. When the line switch K is closedwhile the armature, ior example, is in the position shown in Fig. 7, theend 3| of the segment will be attracted to rotate the armature and causethe spring portion 31 to engage the contact 43, whereby the filament Bwill be illuminated. Upon interruption and reestablishment of electricalcurrent the spring portion 31 is moved into engagement with the contact4| whereby the filament D will be illuminated. With this arrangement itwill be noted that the filaments may be selectively connected one atatime instead of one alone or together with the other. The switch issimple and economical in construction; can be readily manufactured; andoccupies a minimum amount or space, thereby enabling it-to be mounted inthe base of a lamp or in the socket for receiving the base. Furthermore,the switch is adapted to dim a lamp without substantial waste ofelectrical energy. because the amount of current dissipated by the coilis negligible. The parts of the switch are rugged in construction andcan readily withstand any rough usage to which they may be subjected.Although the switch has been shown in combination with a double filamentlamp it is apparent that it may be utilized for other purposes.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and manyapparently widely dilierent embodiments of this invention could be madewithout departing from the scope thereoi, it is intended that all mattercontained in the above description'or shown in the accompanying drawingshall beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the language the line and musttherefore used in the following claims is intended to cover all of thegeneric and specific features of the invention herein described and allstatements of the scope oi the invention which. as a matter of language,might be said to fall therebetween.

I claim as my invention: y 1. In combination with a lamp having apair offilaments. a base therefor, a pair of electrical contacts on said base,a switch positioned in the base comprising an electrically energizablecoil having an armature receiving aperture, a rotatably mounted armaturesegment having spaced free ends and of such size as to enter into theaperture thereof, a pair of spaced contact members, means electricallyconnecting one of said contact members to one end of one of saidfilaments, means electrically connecting the other end of said filamentand one end of the other filament to one of said base contacts. meanselectrically connecting the other end of the other filament to one endof the coil, means electrically connecting the other side of the coil tothe other of said base contacts, a spiral spring connected to saidarmature segment for rotation therewith and having a radially outwardlyextending contact portion positioned between said contact members, andmeans electrically connecting said springto the base contact to whichsaid coil is connected.

2. In combination with a lamp having a pair of filaments mounted on abase, a switch located in said base comprising a disc member, anelectrically energizable coil mounted on said disc member and having anarmature receiving aperture. a pair of contacts on the base forelectrically connecting said coil to an electrical supply line, a centerpost secured to said disc member, a cross bar rotatably mounted on saidcenter post and electrically connected thereto, an armature segmentcarried by said cross bar and having spaced free ends actuated by saidcoil, a pair of spaced contact members on said disc member substantiallydiametrically opposite said coil, one of said contact members beingelectrically connected to one end of one of said filaments and the othercontact member being electrically connected to one end of the otherfilament, means electrically connecting the other ends of said filamentsto one of the base contacts, a resilient member electrically connectedand mounted on said cross bar for rotation therewith and having acontact portion positioned intermediate of and engageable with saidcontact members, and means electrically connecting said post to theother of said spaced contact members within the base, one of saidcontact members being electrically connected to one end of one of saidfilaments and the other contact member being electrically connected toone end of the other filament, means electrically connecting the otherends of said filaments to one side of the contacts on the base. a spiralspring connected to: said armature segment for rotation therewith andhaving a radially outwardly extending contact portion intermediate andselectively engageable with said contact members within the base, andmeans electrically connecting said spring to the other of said contactson the base.

4. In combination with a lamp having a pair of filaments mounted on abase, a pair of electric contacts on said base, a switch located in saidbase comprising an electrically energizable coil having an armaturereceiving aperture, a rotatably mounted armature segment having spacedfreeends magnetically actuated by said coil and attractable into theaperture thereof, a pair of spaced contact posts within the base, one ofsaid contact posts being electrically connected to one end of one ofsaid filaments and the other contact post being electrically connectedto one end of the other filament, means electrically connectingthe'other ends of said filaments to one of said base contacts, aresilient member connected to said armature segment for rotationtherewith and having a contact portion positioned intermediate of andengageable with said contact posts and means for electrically connectingsaid resilient member to the other of said base contacts.

5. A switch comprising an electrically energizable coil having anarmature receiving aperture, a rotatably mounted substantially annulararmature segment having spaced free ends magnetically actuated by saidcoil and attractable into the aperture thereof to rotate said segment,means permitting said segment to be rotated a predetermined distance, apair of contacts spaced apart a distance shorter than the distance saidsegment can be rotated, and a spiral spring carried by said armaturesegment for rotation therewith and having a laterally outwardlyextending contact portion on its free end positioned intermediate saidcontacts, said contact portion engaging said contacts to tension saidspring upon rotation of said armature by said coil.

6. A switch comprising a disc member, an electrically energizable coilfor producing a magnetic field mounted on said disc member and having anarmature receiving aperture, 9. post on said disc member, a cross barrotatably mounted on said post, an armature segment carried by saidcross bar and having spaced free ends actuated by said coil andattractable into the aperture thereof, a pair of spaced contact memberson said disc member, and a spiral spring freely carried by said crossbar for rotation therewith and having a radially outwardly extendingcontact portion on its free end positioned intermediate of andengageable with said contact members.

7. A switch comprising an electrically energizable coil having anarmature receiving aperture, a rotatably mounted substantially annulararmature segment having spaced free ends actuated by said coil andattractable into the aperture thereof, a pair of spaced contact members,and a spiral spring freely carried by said armature segment for rotationtherewith and having a radially outwardly extending contact portion onits free end positioned intermediate of and engageable with said contactmembers.

8. In an electric magnetically operated switch, an energizable coil forproducing a magnetic field, a movable armature having magneticallyattractable ends, said ends being alternately and positively attractedand held by the magnetic field when the coil is energized followingsuccessive interruptions of the current supplied to the coil, means tomove the attracted end away from the coil and position the other endcloser to the coil when said coil is deenergized, a pair of contactposts, and contact means engageable with one of said posts when onearmature end is attracted, and engageable with the other post when thesecond armature end is attracted by the'field of the coil.

9. In an electro-magnetic switch, a coil having an aperture wherein amagnetic field is produced when the coil is energized, an arcuatedarmature rotatably mounted and having the ends thereof alternately andpositively attracted into the aperture, a plurality of electricalcontact posts, means engaging one of said contact posts when the coil isenergized, and means which break the contact when the coil isdeenergized and position the other end of the armature within theaperture whereby a second electrical contact post is engaged by thecontact engaging means when the coil is reenergized.

10. In combination a base member, an armature segment movably journalledrelative to the base member and having magnetically attractable freeends, an' electrically energizable means for magnetically attracting thearmature ends, the armature end nearer said means being positivelyattracted upon energization thereof, and resilient means for moving thearmature relative to the magnetic means and reversing the proximity ofthe armature ends relative to said means upon each successivedeenergization thereof.

11. A switch comprising a base member, an armature segment rotatablyjournallcd relative to the base member and having magneticallyattractable free ends, an electrically energizable coil for magneticallyattracting the armature ends, the end nearer the coil being attractedupon energization thereof, resilient means for rotating the armature sothat upon each successive deenergization of the coil the proximity ofthe armature ends relative to the coil is reversed, a pair of spacedcontact members, and a third contact member movable between the spacedcontact members and engageable with one of them when one armature end isattracted and engageable with the other of them when the other armatureend is attracted.

12. A switch comprising a disc member, an armature segment rotatablymounted on said disc and having spaced magnetically attractable freeends, an electrically energizable coil mounted on said disc formagnetically attracting the armature ends, the nearer-f said ends beingattracted upon energization of the coil, a resilient member freelycarried by the armature for moving the attracted end away from the coilupon interruption of the current and for positioning the other end ofthe armature nearer the coil so that said other end is attracted uponreenergizat'ion of the coil, a pair of spaced contact members on saiddisc, and a contact portion carried by the resilient member andalternately engaging said contact members as the armature ends arealternately attracted by the coil.

13. A switch comprising a disc member, an electrically energizable. coilmounted on said disc member and having an armature receiving aperture,an armature segment rotatably mounted on said disc and having spacedfree ends alternately attracted by said coil into the aperture thereof,one of said ends being attracted upon energizing of the coil and theother of said ends being attracted upon the reenergizing of the coilfollowing an interruption of the 'current supplied thereto, a pair ofspaced contact members on said disc, and a resilient member carried bysaid armature segment and having a contact portion alternately engagingsaid contact members as the armature ends are alternately attracted bythe coil. said resilient member moving the attracted end away from thecoil upon interruption of the current and at the same time positioningthe other end of the armature adjacent the coil so that said other endis attracted by the coil when the coil is reenergized.

14. A switch comprising an eleetro-magnetic coil having an armaturereceiving aperture. a movable armature segment having spaced free endsalternately and positively attracted by said coil into the aperturethereof upon successive energizations of the coil, a pair of spacedcontact members, and a resilient member freely carried by said armaturesegment for movement therewith and having a contact portion alternatelyengageable with said contaetmembers as the armature ends are alternatelyattracted.

15. In an electro-magnetic operated switch an energizable coil forproducing a magnetic field, a movable armature having magneticallyattractable ends. said ends being alternately attracted and positivelyheld by the magnetic field when the coil is energized following eachinterruption of the electric current supplied thereto, and means formoving the attracted end of the armature away from the coil upondeenergization of the coil and simultaneously moving the other end to aposition adjacent the coil so that the latter end is positivelyattracted by the coil when the coil is reenergized.

16. A switch comprising a base member. an armature journalled on thebase and having magnetically attractable ends, an electricallyenergizable magnetic field producing means for positively attracting thearmature end located nearer the field producing means upon eriergizationthereof, a resilient member for moving the attracted armature end awayfrom the field producing means upon deenergization thereofandpositioning the other armature end nearer the field producing means sothat said other end is attracted upon reenergization of theelectromagnetic means, a pair of spaced contact members fixed relativeto the base. and a contact portion on the resilient member engageablewith one of the contact members when one end of the armature ispositively attracted by the field producing means and engageable withthe other of said contact members when the other armature end ispositively attracted whereby the contact members are alternately engagedby the resilient member upon successive energizations of the fieldproducing means.

17. The combination of a movable armature having magneticallyattractable ends, electrically energizable magnetic field producingmeans for positively attracting the armature ends to thereby move thearmature in either of two directions, the armature end nearer the fieldproducing means being attracted when said means is energized andresilient means for moving the attracted armature end away from saidmeans and for positioning the other end adjacent said means when saidmagnetic means is deenergized whereby said other end is attracted uponreenergization of the magnetic means.

F. CHEYNEY BEEKLEY.

